“An Elemental Christmas” Might Be Saratoga’s Most Unique Holiday Experience
Image provided by iTheatre Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Calling it “a total departure from our usual fare,” iTheatre Saratoga is preparing an upcoming holiday musical event titled “An Elemental Christmas.”
A band that includes Emmy-nominated composer Will Severin, Capital Region music veteran George Snyder, and 30-year Saratoga Springs High School music teacher Jeffrey Halstead will perform a selection of tunes ranging from the traditional (“Winter Wonderland”) to the decidedly unorthodox (“River” by Joni Mitchell and “Hounds of Winter” by Sting).
“It’s based on, to some degree, the elements: Fire, rain, that sort of thing,” iTheatre Saratoga Chairman Will Severin told Saratoga TODAY. “There’s going to be songs people know, there’ll be songs that people forgot they knew, and then there’ll be some songs that they’ve never heard before.”
These tunes will be thematically linked together via an original script written by iTheatre’s Artistic Director Mary Jane Hansen, who also wrote last month’s charming “Baker Street Adventuress.”
As if their holiday show wasn’t unpredictable enough, iTheatre also decided to toss in some surprise dance numbers, performed by the Saratoga-based Tango Fusion.
“We’ll probably have, towards the end of the night, one number where it’s basically audience participation,” Severin said.
Overall, the performance is aiming for a casual yet spirited experience that includes audience members seated around large tables, vendors selling last-minute Christmas gifts, and a concession stand stocked with craft beer from local breweries.
The “Elemental Christmas” show is the fourth installment of iTheatre’s annual holiday event. Past installments have included “A Colorful Christmas” (in which all the songs included a color in their titles) and “Cosmic Christmas” (featuring David Bowie’s “Space Odyssey” mixed with “What Star is This?”).
“Elemental Christmas” will be performed at the Saratoga Music Hall on Dec. 19 and 20. Tickets are available at www.itheatresaratoga.org.